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Quarry Park lake stocked for fishing

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A fisherman stands at the top of the hill early Friday morning keeping a lookout for the ODNR truck that will be delivering 1017 rainbow trout to Quarry Park. Many Marion residents came to the park as early as 7am to wait for the truck and to get a chance to catch some trout after they were released into the waters. Matthew Hatcher/The Marion Star

A rainbow trout shoots out of the end of a hose that is connected to an ODNR truck and into Quarry Park Lake on Friday. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources released 1017 rainbow trout into Quarry Park as part of the yearly trout stocking in various lakes and parks in Ohio. Matthew Hatcher/The Marion Star

Workers from the ODNR and City Parks hold the hose steady that releases rainbow trout from the ODNR truck to Quarry Park Lake. 1017 rainbow trout were released into the lake on Friday. Matthew Hatcher/The Marion Star

MARION - Area anglers who enjoy fishing for rainbow trout received a nice gift from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) on April 1.

Employees from the state's Castalia Fish Hatchery released 1,017 rainbow trout into the pond at Quarry Park in Marion. Other nearby fishing areas that were stocked with rainbow trout last Friday include Mount Gilead Lake in Morrow County, Cross Roads Industrial Ponds in Crawford County, and Blue Limestone Park in Delaware County. Ashley Upground and Sunbury Upground No. 1 in Delaware County will be stocked April 30.

Quarry Park is one of 19 public parks operated by the city of Marion. The park covers 83 acres, including the 23-acre lake, and has walking paths and two shelters. According to comments and reviews posted on its Facebook page, the park is a popular destination for Marion County residents.

According to the ODNR Division of Wildlife website, catchable rainbow trout are released into selected lakes and ponds in the spring and fall.

"Catchable rainbow trout are stocked to provide immediate fishing opportunities for a short period of time and these fish are expected to remain the size they were when they were stocked," according to the rainbow trout fishing tips section of the website. "Habitat in Ohio waters generally prevent rainbow trout from surviving through the summer in these waters."

The rainbow trout bred at Castalia are part of the Sport Fish Restoration Program, which is funded through an excise tax on fishing equipment. They are hatched each spring. The trout are fed a formulated diet until they reach a length of 12 inches and then are stocked in 65 selected lakes and ponds.

The Castalia Fish Hatchery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. Reservations are required for tour groups. To schedule a tour, call 419-684-7499.

For information about fishing regulations in Ohio, visit the ODNR Division of Wildlife website wildlife.ohiodnr.gov and click on the tab marked "fishing."